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Category Archives: reading

This really is EPIC! What a GREAT app and FREE for teachers!

07 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Human Being on a Journey! in apps, Common Core, education, reading

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apps, common core, education, reading

epic 2I want to share with you a GREAT App that you can use in the classroom.  It is Epic! If you are a fan of TumbleBooks, Epic is WAY better! We do have TumbleBooks at our school, but it is nothing compared to Epic.  I highly suggest that you check out http://www.getepic.com.

It is easy to sign up.  Now, you can set up accounts for your students and then put books in their library or you can have just one library and all the kids have access.  I will leave that up to you.  Right now, I have just one library until I decide if I want to set up separate accounts.  I probably should, but I am right now just using this app on our Kindles at school.  Right now my students love it!  Something about reading a book on an electric device is cool!

Some of the books have audio features.  This is great for my struggling readers.  I also let my higher readers listen to books as well.  I really feel
that as long as they are listening to books or reading books, they are learning.  They need to learn that reading is enjoyment! I feel that so many times with the focus on close reading and always writing lengthy answers using details from the text…sometimes we take the enjoyment out of reading.  I do NOT feel that this is what the Common Core standards want.  Yes, reading is thinking and we do want students to really think about their reading.  I do agree with that.  However, we need our students to understand the importance of reading and how reading is important.  They need to have time to read books of their choice throughout the year! Just my two cents worth.

epicFeel free to check it out and sign up today!

Duffy Books in Homes and Summer Recreation

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Human Being on a Journey! in Adventures, Duffy Books, reading, summer, teaching

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adventures, Duffy Books, reading, summer, teaching

20150710_123558As a teacher, I am always telling my students the importance of reading. We talk about this all year.  It starts right on the first day of school!  We create charts talking about all of the things that we can do when we read.  Reading is important so you can read signs, fill out job applications, go on adventures, learn new information, etc. You need to know how to read to solve math problems, figure out science, social studies, etc.  Reading helps you write.  Those who read succeed.

I always try to have some time in the day for the students to read books of their choice for enjoyment.  Usually on the first day they go exploring in our classroom library and pick a few books. We talk about fake reading versus real reading. Then we go anywhere in the room and start reading.  I also make sure that I model a love of reading.  I always have a book that I am reading. Sometimes it is an adult book I am reading, other times a new book that I got through a Scholastic order, it might be a professional development book, etc.  I have even had kids give me books that they have read and think I will enjoy.  I always make sure that I read them, because that helps model the importance of reading.  There are some days where a few of my students share books that they are reading, etc.  This year, I am trying to figure out how I can have the kids fill out book summaries and put them around the room.  That way others can read them and decide if it is a book they might try to read. Again, the key is in modeling.  I love reading anyways, so this is not a problem for me :-).

Our school is very lucky to be involved in a program called Duffy Books in Homes USA.  I highly suggest that you google this.  Basically it is a program that values reading and wants children to have books at home to start their own home library.  We have carts of books at our school.  First, we have our Duffy Passport program.  The children receive passports.  For the younger grades, once they read 10 books, they bring it in and can pick a free book off the cart.  Then, they get a new passport and start again.   In the older grades, we go by chapters.  Again, once they fill it out, they can get a free book.  My students have to read every night and write about what they read.  However, this counts toward their Duffy Passport.  I always tell them that every two weeks they should be choosing a free book.  It works for some, and for others it does not.  But it is a great way for children to go and choose a book that they would like to read.  This year we have partnered with Scholastic which is great.  We have some great books that the kids are interested in reading.  For example, we have the I survived series, Junie B. Jones, Amelia Bedelia, Horrible Harry, Cam Jansen, Magic Tree House, etc.  We also have many nonfiction books from the Who Would Win series, National Geographic series, etc.  As always, we always do order some Minecraft, Pokemon, Lego, and Princess books.  We just want to get the children excited about reading!  When we order, we always think about what the kids in the school are reading. This year, we have been able to order some great books.

The second way that we use Duffy Books in our school is through our “Free Book Give Aways”. These happen 2 – 3 times a year and last a few weeks.  They take place in our school library.  Our school librarian will set out all of the Duffy Books that we have.  We have TONS people.  She uses every table, brings in bookshelves, carts, etc.  Then, when the children have library they are allowed to choose two free books.  Usually we will do this for two weeks.  That means they get 4 books.  We try to do it just before Winter break so the kids can read over vacation.  We also do it at the end of the year so the children have books over the summer.  The kids love it!  They look forward to walking by the library and seeing the Duffy sign.  That is their clue that it is going to be a Duffy Give Away week.  Usually just before, I have my class talk about some of the books they have been reading, or I bring in books from the library and read a few to them to get them interested.  After they return from library we spend a good 15 minutes just reading our books. Then we share them so that maybe next week they will choose one of the books to read and add to their home library.  Again, I want to promote a love of reading.

The third way that we use Duffy Books in our school is through an after school program called Fit to Read.  This program happens twice a year – the fall and spring.  The children really do enjoy it.  After school we take them outside and play with them.  We might play kickball, castle ball, they can play on our playground, we have sidewalk chalk, etc.  While they are outside, someone is inside setting up a snack.  After about 20 minutes of outside time they come in and grab a snack.  While they are eating their snack we do a mini lesson.  These are just quick strategies to help them improve reading.  For example, I did a mini lesson once on using prediction.  I started with a book and we looked at the cover and made predictions.  As I was reading it, we decided if we had to change our prediction, add to it, etc.  We always go back to how reading is thinking.  Of course, the key is NOT to finish the whole book you are using in the mini lesson.  You want to leave the kids hanging. There is a reason.  After the quick 10 minute mini lesson they are done with their snack.  We have the kids broken up into groups.  They go with their adult and go to another room in the school.  In each of the rooms we have baskets of Duffy Books.  So, they read for the next 30 minutes.  This is NOT a time to teach reading.  We do not want it to become skill and drill.  That being said, if a student is having trouble and asks you for help, we obviously help them.  But, again, we want to promote a love for reading.  One year, I had a lot of struggling readers in my group. It was not a problem.  We read a Magic Tree House book together.  We took turns reading the pages.  Sometimes I read most of it, and they just read a paragraph, etc. We want them to feel successful and to love reading.  Also, they do not have to read a Duffy Book. They can bring in a book from home, a book they took out of the library, etc. As long as they are reading, it is great!  Then, at the end of the season, on the last day we have a pizza party and spread out all of the books.  The kids can choose 2 – 3 books and keep them.  Again, the kids are excited!

We have also been lucky enough to be able to get some Kindles though grants.  Therefore, we pick a group that gets to use the Kindles at least once during Fit to Read.  It is amazing how when they are given a book to read on an electric device, they are even more motivated. Of course, we also have educational games that we have downloaded as well.  We are lucky to have 2 Kindle Carts.  These can be signed out by other teachers throughout the school day so that all children benefit.

Now, you all know that some kids do not have a lot of books at home and really want them.  I had two this year.  They were not doing their homework.  They always said, I don’t have any books at home.  Now, I know that they have some Duffy Books from the Give Away.  However, I still allow them to go over and pick out some books. Honestly, my friend and I, we don’t care. We just want them to read.  I had another student this year – reading was his outlet.  He has a lot of emotional problems.  When he was about to “go off the deep end” I would say go read.  He would and you would see him calm down.  Many times I sent him over to get a Duffy Book.  This made him much calmer.  Plus, he was reading! It was a win win situation!

Anyway, back to today.  My friend and I decided we really wanted to push this program more.  We talked to the person in charge of the Summer Recreation program near our school.  Well, we originally were going to do a whole week, but we just could not fit it in.  We had professional Development training on Monday that we could not miss.  She had things coming up, and I had to get things ready, so we did not do the whole week.  However, we went down today and visited the kids  It was nice to see them.  I saw former students of mine.  Two, I knew who they were but they had changed so much. Of course they have gone on to the “big school” now-haha. They made sure that I knew that – haha.  Anyway, we loaded up my car with crates of books.  When we got to our local park we spread them out over the picnic tables.  The kids came over and we did some book talks.  As we were talking about the different books that we brought, you could see some of them becoming excited.  Now those that are still in the elementary school, they could guess right away why we were there and they were excited!  So after doing our book talks and talking about the important of reading, asking them if they were reading over the summer, etc. it was time for them to “have at it”.  We just stepped back and let them go.  They did – haha.  Originally we said pick about 2 books.  For some, that was easy.  For others, it was difficult.  We walked around to help them pick books based on what they were interested in.  Many of the kids were just so excited we just said “take extras it is okay”.  They could not decide on which 2 to choose.  Let’s put it this way, when we went back to my car, we went back with empty crates.  We decided that it was just fine.  The research shows that just having books at home increases the likeliness that they will read.  So, we were happy.  We were also excited to see the kids go over to the counselors and the counselors read books with them. YEAH!  This made us even more happy.  It is always nice to see students excited about reading.  A few parents were there as well and asked if they could pick books to read to their little or older children at home.  Of course we said!  Like I said, we went back with no books.  But that is a good thing!

I highly suggest that you check out the program Duffy Books in Homes USA.  Maybe it is something your school wants to try.  I am not going to lie, you do have to do some fundraising.  You will get a grant, but you are expected to match that grant.  That has been extremely difficult for us.  We always come close.  This year we held a run that was very successful.  However, we were stressing out about it – haha.  Going to ask for sponsors and donations is not my thing!  I have perfected the selling speech though – haha.  And honestly, it was a fun day while having the run.  Again, we had many kids run and after they ran, of course they were able to get free books to read.  For the adults and the longer distances we had medals – woo.  We were very surprised with how much we raised, so we most likely will do it again next year.  We have also had to ask companies and groups  to sponsor the program throughout the year.  We have some fundraising ideas up our sleeves that we are in the process of talking about.  However, if you can, I suggest you look into the program.  It is a wonderful program.  Remember, those who read succeed!

Relaxing Day to Get Back to Reality!

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Human Being on a Journey! in Adventures, reading, relaxation

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Tags

adventures, reading, relaxation

IMG_20150703_185309

Ahhhhh, I so needed a relaxing day to just “chill” and get back to nature.  My brain was on fire and I was always on the go the last few days.  After working on some projects this morning I needed to get done, I decided to go to one of my favorite spots.  I love it because hardly anyone is ever there.  As a matter of fact, while I was reading by the water in one of my quieter spots here, I heard a hello.  I did jump but it was a father and his son. He was just warning me that they were there so I was aware.  Sorry, I was engrossed in my book laying on my pillow backpack on a beautiful rock with my feet dangling in the water. They were doing some exploring too.  Why is this place fantastic??  Well, I love it because, again, hardly anyone is here.  It is like a hidden gem. I call it my secret waterfall spot.  I have NEVER brought anyone here.  If I do, they will be special people who I know will appreciate it and want some quiet/reflection time, too.  I want to keep this place hidden.  Also, it is close to home.  Three, where else can you explore caves, walk on great trails, see and hear waterfalls, get wet (the water could have been warmer for the 4th of July!), and read?  Also, I think I did snooze for a few minutes while laying on one of my favorite rocks in the creek.  Oops :-). Also, with all the rain the area has received lately, near the falls the water was deep – I was up past my shorts in spots and could have gone in deeper.  I forgot the bathing suit though – next time!  By the way, this book The Boys in the Boat is great!  I just got it at one of the airports the other day.  I am so enjoying it! I will write about it soon!

It was wonderful day! I am glad to be back and have this long weekend to chill before another professional development day at work on Monday.  I also have to go in for curriculum work on Thursday.  Saturday, I have to travel to a cursillo team meeting. I have this feeling that this summer is going to fly by.  I have to make the most of my days off!  I plan on doing lots of hiking. We need time to just relax and take in the sights around us.

Now, it is time to go to a friend’s house for some fireworks fun.  It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so we are celebrating a day early.  Plus, they want to do this for me before I leave on my mission trip.  This is really the only weekend.  Tomorrow it is off to another friend’s house for some more fun.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

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Professional Development Reading

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by Human Being on a Journey! in Common Core, education, reading, writing

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common core, education, reading, writing

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I have said that I would be sharing with you some of the books that I have been reading.  Tonight I am going to share one.  I am going to be sharing a book that I am reading that has to do with my career.  You will find that I am one of those weirdos who does read books to help her become a better person.  No, I don’t only read professional development books.  You will find as you continue to read this blog, and hopefully I continue to write on it, that I read many books – science fiction, novels, drama, religious, young adult, kids, etc.  Tonight, I am choosing to focus on a professional development book, because I am trying to finish it with the end of the school year here.  The book is  Pathways to the Common Core.  I am reading it for two reasons.  The first, when I went to our State Education Departments network training earlier this year, people I met and talked to recommended it.  As a matter of fact, I am going to be seeing one of them soon when I am in Georgia for a conference.  I am excited to meet up with this teacher.  We actually have seen each other a few times since the State Ed training.  We are both excited to know that we were chosen to go to the conference in Georgia as now we will know someone else and can hang out – haha.  Anyway, it was recommended because they said that it helps you to understand how to adapt to the Common Core and it also makes you feel better, because you will find out that you are doing some of it.  They said you would not feel so overwhelmed.

The second reason why I am reading this book, is because of the conference I am going to in Georgia.  It is going to have some very interesting keynote speakers and I was looking at the program today and I am excited, and hope the workshops are as good as they are being described.  It is all about the Common Core, using rigor, and making it approachable and not so scary.  I want to read this book so that I am prepared and can really focus on how I need to change become a better teacher.  As I said in a previous post – I like the Common Core Standards.  I do not have a problem with them.  The problem I have is how they were rolled out with the modules, etc.  For more information, go back and read that post.  The standards really are good – I found this out again while reading the book.  This book really breaks the standards down.  Also, it then gives you some suggestions of activities you can do to help you understand them better.  Last, it talks about the progression of how the children build on these standards as they move up the grade levels.  I have found that to be one of the greatest points that this book brings up.  You can see how each year, the students dive a little bit deeper into the standard.  It really does make it seem not so overwhelming, and I am more comfortable.  You can see how all of the standards are related and build on each other.

What else do I think about the book?  Well, I will be honest with you… I still have about 40 pages left.  I am DETERMINED that I will finish it before I leave Saturday.  It is a book that you have to slowly read.  I read a chapter, then think about it. So, it has taken me a long time to read it.  I will say that what people said about it is true.  I have learned a lot from what I have read so far, and I am not so overwhelmed.  What makes me extremely happy about this book is that they say this……Children will become better readers reading high quality books, articles, and authentic literature rather than basals.  Basals are not the answer.  It also says that the more children read and write, the more they become better at it.  You need to teach them the different forms of writing, and then give them time to practice the skills.  It focuses on the Writers Workshop technique. Also, you need to give the children some choices so they have some ownership over their learning.  I loved reading that!  You do not understand how much I loved reading that!! I did the happy dance in my head!  I do NOT like scripted programs.  I have not used a basal in years.  I am happy to say that our administration has put their foot down when the subject of getting a basal reading series comes up in faculty meetings. Believe me, it comes up all the time!! I cringe when it comes up.  I am very happy that administration has put their foot down though!  I am sorry, but a basal reading series will not help children.  It is not an end all be all.  I am amazed when I go to our area BOCES workshops and talk to other schools.  Some schools use a basal and some do not.  Either way, we are all getting the same results.  We have some at my school that still use the old basal series.  I actually put mine in storage and it got thrown away.  I am okay with that!  I do not even miss it.   I prefer to use novels, magazine articles, and yes I do use an online reading program where you can print books, but they are entire books.  What I choose to use is authentic where the kids are handling real articles, real books, real magazines! The problem with basals, in the upper grades, is that they are only bits and pieces of novels and trade books.  It is much better if they read the entire trade book, article, etc.  I am also a firm believer in giving children some choice.  I use a modified Daily 5 in my room.  I also have some time in the day where the children just read.  If you value reading and pass that onto your students, they will learn to value reading.  I am happy to say, that that has happened the last 3 years.  They beg me to have more reading time.  Also, it is important that you model the love of reading, too.  I find that at the end of the day, when many of my special education students are being pulled for resource time, my struggling readers are pulled for RTI time, other students are being pulled for speech, etc is the best time to do extra reading.  At the end of the day, the children are tired, so they are shutting down.  But reading, helps them. During this time, they are allowed to read any book, magazine, etc. of their choice.  I stay away.  If they ask me for a recommendation I give them one, but they can read what they want.  We talk about how to pick books on their level, how it is okay to read an easier book that you love at times more than once.  Also, we talk about how sometimes you can abandon a book.  Maybe it was not what you expected, or you just don’t like it.  It is okay.  I find that  they are totally focused on their books. Plus, the ones that are being pulled are not missing important instruction.  It has worked wonders.  If I need to pull students to do a fluency check, or maybe help them get caught up if they were absent on work, etc. it is a great time because they are not missing instruction and getting more behind.  Next year, our schedules are totally changing, but I am sure that whenever the students are being pulled I will incorporate more reading time.  It is during this time, when I am also reading if not working with students.  I make sure that I at least spend some time reading,not always working with students.  Also, it is important to know that this is not a time for teachers to bebcorrecting, doing busy work.  This is NOT a time for teachers to be cleaning their rooms, checking their email, etc.  This is a time for us to model reading.  I may be reading a professional development book, a book one of my students recommends, a book I am thinking of reading with a reading group, etc.  Most importantly, I am modeling a love of reading.  Usually once a week, I pick someone to share the book they are reading.  This is great, because then you see other students write their name down on the book “waiting list”.  The only way to become a better reader is to read, read, read!  You need to be able to read to succeed.  Also reading helps make you a better writer!

During Daily 5 center time (if I am not meeting with their guided reading group, the children are busy at one of the Daily 5 centers – word work, writing, read to self, listen to reading, read to someone, math, or special center (think special occasions working on a card for Father’s Day, maybe working on a gift around the holidays, etc.)  All of the centers are not busy work, but a time for the children to practice skills.  In read to self, they are reading books on their level.  In read to someone they are reading magazine articles, or the book they are working on in their guided reading group to someone to work on fluency. They love reading to each other.  It is also interesting to watch them talk about what they are reading.  What kid does not like playing teacher :-).  Listen to reading, they are listening to the book on CD or using an iPad to listen to an audiobook. Word Work they are working on spelling (not a worksheet or workbook but using letter tiles to spell their words, sorting their words into spelling patterns, using scrabble tiles to add up their words points, giving each other a practice test on white boards, etc.,  Writing, they are working on writing to practice writing.  They might be working on a a rough draft, peer editing, working on a final copy, or writing in one of our classroom journals, or a free write in their journal.  Math is usually a math game.  Yes, it is not ELA but they need practice in math as well.  Very RARELY do I grade anything from their centers.  I am a firm believer in the fact that you can’t just use worksheets to grade. As a matter of fact, I rarely use worksheets.   If you spend more time grading than it takes for your students to complete the worksheet then it is pointless.  The point is that the children are practicing important skills.  They can easily do this WITHOUT a worksheet!  I want to use authentic practicing.   You will know if they are indeed practicing when it comes to listening to them read, having discussions and writing conferences with your students, grading their final published pieces, when they take an end of book assessment, their spelling test, etc.  At the beginning of the year, it takes many weeks of practice before the children are used to this routine.  They do know that they are held accountable for their behaviors, and we talk about being self-directed learners.  With practice, it is wonderful!  Soon,  I know that I can be working with a reading group and the others will just go to to their centers, choose an activity,  and work away. Then when we switch, it is a smooth transition.

My district has now adopted the Lucky Caulkins Writing Worskhop for next year.  I am super de duper excited about this.  I have always read up on this and wanted to try it. I do use a writing workshop technique (or at least I think I do, but I know it is not totally correct).  We are going to be having a training this summer.  As a matter of fact, the principal just delivered our “Units of Study” kits and the mentor texts to us today.  We are able to take them to look at them.  I am excited and hope that I get the chance to do this before the training.  I am not sure with the conference, but I am going to try.  I will at least glance at them. What I do know from reading the book Pathways to the Common Core is that it talks about how writers workshop gives the students lots more ownership and choices over their writing.  I strongly believe that children work better when they feel as though they have some control over what they are writing about.  I am excited about this opportunity.  I definitely hope that it does help our students develop stronger writing skills.

So, if you are looking for a book to read to help you become a better teacher, I highly recommend this book.  Do not let the title scare you.  You will not read it fast.  Well, maybe you will …I tend to always think so it takes me a bit longer to read books like this.  However, I think that you will enjoy it and find out that you do not have to totally  change your entire teaching philosophy since Common Core came along.  Yes, you will have to make some changes, but you will find that you do not have to change everything.  Again, feel free to adapt and adopt.

Happy Reading!

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